The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-04-16

I now propose to show the public, the
tax.payers and the patrons Of our High
School why do not support our present
principal.
And If the Board had made inquiries
from the superintendent of the schools
where he had previously taught they would
certainly have received the same answer
that did The following is the report OF
the superintendent of schools of Sheboy-
gan, Wis, rs copied from the records AT
the time the present principal taught there
JUNE 20, 1891,
To he Board If EducdtiOn:
GENTLEMEN: In acc rdance with the
provision of the city charter, providing
for d report by the superintendent OF city
schools, concerning the character Of work
done by teachers, and In pursuance 10 your
special request that In the case of the pres
ent principal-Mr. Tufts-that such report
he In writing, ! beg leave 10 submit, the
following:
So far rs his knowledge of books is con.
cerned have no question rs Ia the ell.
cheney of his preparation. Concerning
other matters have to report
First-He has recommended teachers
for responsible positions when he must
have known them to be incompetent, or, on
the other hand, must himself be incompe-
tent to Judge as TO what constitutes neces-
sary qualification of the teachers. In
either case hold that such a person is not
a proper one to have charge of our schools
Second-The character of the eXamina
tions of teachers, conducted by him at the
beginning OF the school year, and his
marking of the papers show that he either
has no knowledge of what constitutes u
proper examination and marking or, that
knowing, he was willing 10 make the eX-
aminations farce for selfish purposes
The same principles which governs an ex
animation of teachers are applicable 10 an
examination of pupils, and the same fail
ure is observable there.
Third-lIe failed to preserve a proper
grading of classes, pupils being allowed TO
remain In classes when they were totally
unable to do the work, thereby injuring
not only those pupils but others in the
class.
Fourth-He fails to preserve order in
ABOUT Tie SCHOOl
Fifth-lle fails to give the subordinate
teachers the support in matters of disci.
pine, which Is absolutely essential 10 the
maintenance of proper organization,
thereby injuriOusly affecting the schools.
Sixth-He entirely fails to have the con.
tidence and respect of the other teachers
in our schools. Without harmony of action
and mutual confidence between the princi.
pal and subordinate teachers il is imposs-
BILE to secure good results in the school
work.
Seventh-He has failed to do good work
as u teacher In certain Of his classes, show.
ing by his management that the amount of
work gone over Is To him the important
thing without reference t. the thorough.
ness of tine work done.
Eighth--His lack of experience and
knowledge of COOL methods of teaching
make him incapable of rendering such as
sistance to subordinate teachers as must
be given 10 secure the best work.
in teachers meetias,ss" WSieefi led to do work
bearing upon the work done by teachers In
their various grades; and shows that he
has no adequate conception, not only of
what constitutes proper work in such meet
lug, but also of how such work is to to be
done.
From these fats and others which
might be mentioned, it Is the opinion of
the superintendent that the best interests
of the schools demands change of prin-
cipal, and that they be placed in charge of
a man who has the experience and 1udg
ment to make the work of these schools
what it should be. make this report with
the firm conviction that were to fail TO
state these facts | should fail In discharg.
ing my duty as a member of the Board of
Education. Signed,
l.. ID. HARVEY,
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